The Mistake
Copyright© 2026 by A Well Traveled Man
Chapter 3
Kim and Li went to Scripps on Friday morning after breakfast and to her lab. Mom had dozens of samples to analyze, and the findings were logged into the computer. Li got to work while Kim continued with her experiments. While taking a break, Li asked Mom why she was so backed up. She said there were clicks and that lab techs preferred to work for one scientist. He said, “Don’t worry, Mommy, I’ll be dedicated to you,” and they laughed.
At lunch, they went to the cafeteria, and a man approached Li. He introduced himself as Dr. Thomas Croft and asked for my help in his lab. Li tagged him on the phone while thanking him for the offer, but he was buried in work with Dr. Lee. He stormed off, and Mom said he already has two lab techs dedicated to him. After lunch, they returned to the lab, and Kim was called into George Whittingham’s office, the VP of research.
Li went with her, and when they entered, Dr. Thomas Croft was there too. George asked Kim why Li wasn’t available to the other researchers. Kim said he is, but the bigger question is why no one is available to me. Dr. Croft already has two lab techs, and they won’t work with anyone else. As a matter of fact, many researchers are occupying all the lab tech positions. So, when Li works part-time, he helps me with my research, and Dr. Croft can play with his own group.
George asked Thomas if it was true that he occupied two lab techs full-time. Thomas said yes, but they do more than assist me in the lab. George told Thomas they are paid to be lab techs, not your personal servants. So, as you treat them as such, you can absorb their salaries within your lab budget. Thomas called Kim a bitch and tried to slap her. Li caught his arm and twisted it up behind his back. He screamed in pain, and Li told Thomas to kneel and apologize to Dr. Lee or lose use of his arm.
Thomas kneeled and apologized, so Li let go of his arm. He got up and punched Li in the face. Li responded with a kick to the balls, then knocked him out with an uppercut. Thomas fell face-first to the floor with a thud, and Li stepped on his hand to be sure he was knocked out. George said he’s never seen such a rude display by a researcher before. Kim told George to let Thomas know when he wakes up that he should avoid us at all costs.
Li said today he got a warning, but next time he’ll need rehab, and they left George’s office. Thomas woke up moaning that his jaw and balls hurt. George told Thomas he picked a fight with the wrong person and had better stay clear of Dr. Lee and Li. George also warned Thomas that any more incidents would result in his termination. Thomas said that bitch and George told Thomas to shut his mouth. Dr. Lee won the Nobel Peace Prize for Science. What have you done?
George told Thomas to be prepared for an audit of your work. He said you were on thin ice before, but now, with two assistants, your work had better support occupying them full-time. Thomas stormed out of George’s office, pissed that he was called on the carpet. One assistant is his girlfriend, and she doesn’t even show up to work. The other one does his work so he can play online poker. An audit will definitely result in his termination.
They returned to Mom’s lab, and Li said it felt good to get some exercise after lunch, and they laughed. Mom said there was something wrong with Dr. Croft, and they resumed their work. Li finished analyzing the samples and logging them into the computer. He showed Mom two that had issues, and they made adjustments. She said those were delaying her experiment and thanked Li for his help. They were finished for the day and cleaned up the lab.
Leaving the building, Li felt danger as they passed a row of parked cars in the parking lot. They were about to move to the second row when Li pulled Mom back as an SUV sped past them. It tried to stop at the end of the parking lot but lost control and crashed into a tree. They got into the 4Runner and passed the crash site. The driver was Dr. Thomas Croft, and several people were near the vehicle, so they left.
Li said Dr. Croft tried to kill us today, so he’s fair game. Mom said yes, he did, but be careful and do it where there are no witnesses. That surprised Li that Mom would approve of him beating the crap out of someone, but he said, “Yes, Mommy,” and they laughed. Arriving home, Kim made dinner, and while they ate, the phone rang. It was the University of California, San Diego, Chancellor Ben White. He said we received your letter today and wondered why you’re disenrolling.
Kim told him that you’re aware of the letter George Whittingham, the VP of research at Scripps, sent you. Well, since you refused to sign the letter of understanding, we had no choice but to have Li attend another university. Chancellor White said the letter is redundant to our scholarship and isn’t necessary. Kim told him,” If that’s so, sign it, and Li will attend. But you know that’s a loophole in the agreement, and Li will agree to attend without it.
She thanked Chancellor White for his consideration on the matter, then hung up. Li said those assholes want to control my life while I attend their university. If they call back, let’s seek legal advice and draft a new agreement. Mom said that’s a good idea, and they finished dinner, said goodnight, and went to bed.
Kim and Li headed to downtown San Diego after breakfast on Saturday morning. When they arrived at The Athletes Warehouse, Li told the salesman what he wanted, and he wrote it up. Mom was shocked at the price, but Li said it was wholesale, and Li paid the bill with his debit card. He chose the free delivery, and it would be delivered by 5 p.m. today. On the way home the saw a yard sale and stopped.
Mom went to the tables to explore the goods, and Li checked the things on the ground and in boxes. He bought two boxes of computer parts and three boxes of books. Mom bought a necklace and a sweater. They loaded their purchases and drove home. Li took his things to his room, then the phone rang. It was George Wittingham, and he told Kim that Dr. Thomas Croft had an accident in the parking lot after work yesterday.
Kim said we know he almost hit us speeding through the parking lot. George said Thomas was in the hospital in serious condition due to his driving without a seatbelt. George said he wanted to use this opportunity to audit Dr. Croft’s lab and asked if Li could assist him on Monday. Kim said, “Sure, Li can do it,” and they said goodbye.
While eating lunch, Mom told Li to be thorough when doing the audit. She suspected Thomas was doing something off the books or doing creative accounting to justify the two lab techs. After lunch, the delivery truck arrived and unloaded a ton of equipment. Li moved the floor pads to the basement first, then brought down the boxing bags. Using the Dewalt cordless drill in the garage, he mounted the bags to the ceiling.
When he was done, Li tested each bag with punches and kicks. They passed the test, and he cleaned up the area before returning the tools to the garage. Returning to the kitchen, Mom had dinner ready, so they sat and ate. During dinner, Li asked Mom if she heard from his grandparents lately. She laughed and said yes, they called today and wanted to have lunch tomorrow. Since we’re going shopping for swimwear, I agreed to meet them at a Mexican restaurant in the mall.
Li groaned, and Mom laughed and said,” It won’t be that bad.” He said that’s what you always say before going on a shopping spree. Mom said maybe, but this time we have a lunch date, so our shopping will be limited. They finished dinner, said goodnight, and went to bed. Li didn’t go to sleep, and he looked through the boxes of books. Knowing his time would be limited for the next week, he checked each box. One box had spy books that looked like training manuals an instructor might use. Li stayed awake and read three books before falling asleep.
Early Sunday morning, Li watched three baseball DVDs. There were about six or seven more, and he wanted to finish them before his training on Tuesday. The spy book piqued his interest, and he should have been watching the DVDs. He would work both in his free time and went to the kitchen for breakfast. Mom disapproved of his jeans, calling them too short. Li groaned and said they’re all too short. They finished breakfast and headed to the mall.
The swimwear was quick, and he got a pair of Speedos and a pair of board shorts. Then they went to the department store and bought new jeans and dress slacks. Since the dress shirts were on sale, they bought six and headed to the restaurant. James and Joan King were waiting and were surprised at how tall Li was. Kim said they had just finished shopping for new jeans, slacks, and dress shirts. Li said, “Don’t forget the swimwear because Mommy doesn’t want me to skinny dip,” and everyone laughed.
James and Joan congratulated Kim on winning the Nobel Peace Prize for Science. She thanked them, and then they asked how Li was doing in school. Kim said this is confidential, so please don’t repeat it to anyone. Li has his master’s degree in genetics and a bachelor’s degree in computer programming. They were shocked, and it took them several minutes to respond. Joan asked Li what he was going to do now, and he told them he would pursue a doctorate in genetics and a master’s in computer programming.
Kim told them that both work at the Scripps Research Institute and are trying to get into the University of California, San Diego. But they want to market his name and image and take a part in everything he does outside of the university. So, we’re at a standstill until they agree, or we’ll find another university for him. Scripps supports his continued education, so that’s a plus. James asked Li if he was involved in any sports.
Li said yes, and Mom’s boss arranged private baseball training at Petco Park. A Padres trainer is teaching me baseball, and then when I’m done golfing, it’s next. Kim said Scripps plays other businesses and wants Li’s help to improve their performance. James said they are paying a lot for your training for inter-company games. Kim said it’s more of a pride issue, and they are tired of losing.
Lunch arrived, and while they ate, Joan invited them to visit them for a week this summer. Kim said she would have to check because she just started. Then she asked how racism is there. Li said that’s why we moved to England. Mom was assaulted on campus, but the administration would do nothing about it. They were shocked, and James said there won’t be an issue. They exchanged emails, and Kim said she would let them know after checking with Scripps.
After hugs and handshakes, they left, and Mom asked what he thought. Li said he senses they want us to become family. But I’m leery of going by myself, so if you can’t go, then neither will I. Mom said those are my thoughts, too, and I’ll find out what the leave or vacation situation is on Monday. When they arrived home, Li hung the slacks in his closet, and Mom put his jeans in the washer. He spent the rest of the afternoon watching baseball DVDs.
During dinner, Mom asked Li what he wanted to do about the University issue. He said nothing, and he’ll research doctoral degrees online. If he has to take a semester off, he will continue working toward his master’s degree in computer programming. They finished dinner, said goodnight, and went to bed. Li got out the spy books and read four more books before falling asleep.
Li woke up early and went to the basement. He practiced his martial arts, and it felt good getting a workout again. After showering and dressing, he went to the kitchen. They ate breakfast and then went to Mom’s work. When they arrived, Mom went to her lab, and Li went to George Whittingham’s office. The door was open, and two men in suits were standing in front of his desk. One man said they wanted Professor Martin Blake’s files.
George told them his office had been cleaned out over a month ago, and that any files belonging to Scripps had been put into storage. Everything else was destroyed, and one man took out his Glock and said,” Give us those files or die.” Li entered and knocked the man with the gun out. Then he went to work on the other man until he was unconscious, too. Li went back to the gunman and kicked him several times in the head and balls.
Li asked Mr. Whittingham if he was ok, and he laughed, saying he was now. George told Li he arrived just in time to save an uncomfortable situation. Li asked who the men were, and George said they only told him they were from the government. Li tagged their phones and checked their IDs while George called the police. They took George’s statement, but Li refused, saying he was a minor and couldn’t without a parent present. But he said his view of the events matched Mr. Whittingham’s.
They arrested the men, and they went to Dr. Thomas Croft’s lab and office. His lab assistant was there, and George asked where the other one was. He said I’m the only one besides Dr. Croft. His girlfriend visits occasionally but not often. George told him to carry on, and they went into Dr. Croft’s office. The files were a mess, and it took all morning to figure them out. Li bumped the mouse on the desk, and a poker game appeared on the monitor.
George found Scripps was paying for three Lab techs, but only one worked here. His supply room was almost empty, yet Thomas purchased thousands of dollars’ worth of supplies. For all the labor and materials, Dr. Croft produced little revenue. Leaving the office, George told the lab tech to enter the queue and work for someone else. This lab was closed effective immediately. The lab tech left, and George locked the door behind them.